Printing apparatus



Dec. 10, 1946. J. B. CONTNER 2,412,252

PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

, D6510, 1946- J. B. CONTNER 2,412252 PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 21, .1941 8'Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR. [Bugfz fan/n ATTORNEYS Witom,lim%@fmamZ m/mmz% Dec. 10, 1946. I J. B. CONTNER 2,412,252

' PRI'NTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. jfiur 1 [bum/r ATTORNEYS ec M, 39%. J. B. CONTNER 2,412,252

PRINTING APPARATUS Original Fiied June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. B. CONTNER PRINTiENG APPARATUS Dec. 10,1946. 2,412,252

Original Filed Jur le' 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

NEY

Dec. 10, 1946. J. B. CONTNER 2,412,252

PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 21, 1941 Sheets-Sheet 6 fiafgi fanlner Dec. 10, 1946. J. B. CONTNER PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 u INVENTOR. ffia Wanin B WMMW "I 1 M ATTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1946. J. B. CONTNERQ PRINTING APPARATUS ori inal Filed June 21, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheetfi INVEI QTOR. v [340 z Karine! ATTQRNEYS Patented Dec. 10, 1946 PRINTING APPARATUS J. Burgi Contner, New York, N. Y., assignor to Great American Industries, Inc.,

Meriden,

Conn., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Serial No. 399,069,

June 21, 1941.

1944, Serial No. 528,274

1 Claim.

1 This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved printing apparatus. In its more specific aspects, the invention contemplates a mechanism for the production of a record embodying functionally and structurally improved characteristics, said record being of primary utility when employed in association with automatic motion picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide a record which will be free from any inherent distortion and which may moreover, be handled without danger of injury; such record incorporating a series of successive photographic images which may be projected by a suitable light source to reproduce upon a screen or similar surface, a motion picture. Moreover by the present invention, a novel record will be produced which will also incorporate a sound reproducing feature such that while the photographic images are being rojected, related sounds or sound eifects maybe reproduced by an apparatus associated with or forming a part of the visual projectin or reproducing mechanism.

A still further object is that of furnishing an apparatus of novel construction for printing composite sound and picture records; such apparatus being capable of use by persons having no especial skill and being virtually automatic in operation.

This application is a continuation of my presently co-pending application entitled Printing method, apparatus and product, filed June 21, 1941, Serial No. 399,069.

.With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. '1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view showing a set-up of apparatus by means of which one step of the printing method may be practiced;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View taken along the lines 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged plan view of one portion of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and with certain of the parts broken away to disclose underlying construction;

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary rear view of part of the mechanism as illustrated especially in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 55 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 4;

"-Fi 6 'is'a sectional plan view showing in en- This application March 27,

2 larged scale certain details of the feed mechanism;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are transverse sectional views taken respectively along the lines 1-1, 8-8, and 99 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the lines Hl|0 and in the direction of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 shows a lay-out of apparatus embodying the improved construction of the present invention and by means of which, a further step in the method of printing may be practised;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the mechanism as shown in Fig, 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary face view of certain of the parts as shown in Fig. 12 and also illustrating the finished product which results from the use of a mechanism constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and the practice of the method also herein taught;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary face view of a portion of the record;

Fig. 15 is a similar View of a portion of a different record;

Fig. 16 is a face view of a complete record embodying photographic frames and a correlated sound track; and

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines ll-ll and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 16.

It is primarily intended by means of the present invention to produce a photographic record such as may be employed in connection with a more or less automatic type of motion picture projector and sound reproducer as disclosed in my heretofore filed application, Serial. Number 396,621, dated June 4, 1941, now Patent No. 2,346,472, issued April 11, 1944.. As such, the record will include a body or base of transparent material (for example, a synthetic plastic) which presents upon its face a photographic emulsion embodying a series of frames or pictures to be projected by a motion picture apparatus; such frames being arranged in spiral form upon the body. The latter may conveniently be a disc. Also appearing on one of the faces of this body is a sound track. While the latter may take numerous different forms, it conveniently should embrace a ribbon or band photographically impressed upon'the plate and primarily intended for cooperation with a light sensitiveor photoelectric cell and an amplifying apparatus, such production of a product which may vary in many respects from the particular construction just defined. Likewise, while it is preferred that the frames be primarily printed or provided on the disc and that only thereafter'the sound track be provided, a reverse procedure might be followed.

Accordingly, the following description is to be taken in an illustrative rather thanin a limiting sense.

Thus, referring primarily to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral l5 indicates a base or support. Disposed adjacent one end of the latter is a projection apparatus generally indicated at 1B and through which a film i1 is fed, by mleans of an intermittent mechanism enclosed Within .a housing 18. A light source l 9may serve to project the successive frames of the film H as the latter is shifted by means of the mechanism within the housing. 7

Such mechanism may conveniently be driven by means of 'a shaft which has connection with'a driveZl coupled to a motor .22. "Ihe'latter may be supported byth'e base l5. As will be seenfromfthe foregoing, this mechanism is more or less conventional and may" follow one of numerous different forms, all of which :have been found to. be satisfactory in eonnection'with printing a'n'exposure technique.

' 'Adjacent the opposite end of the base or supportlfija 'frame'Eil may be disposed. This frame mounts rail portions 2d extendingtransversely of the base and a carriage issupp'orted upon these rails. Such support should preferably be by means of anti-friction bearings (not shown) sothat only minimum'effort isln'e'cejssary to cause the carriage to traverse the rails. illustrated,

the'car'riage may be supported on rollers '26 which 1.

extend both above as well as below the railsflshus assuring against any movement of the carriage upwardly or downwardly with 'resp ecttothe'rail portions. r

The, carriage 1 5 mounts ash'aft 27, Again this mounting is preferably effected by furnishin anti-friction elementsior bearings which will assure that only minimum power'requirernents'will be necessary to effect rotation of'the'shaft. The end of the sh'aft extending-towards the "projector assembly may mount a plate 28. This plate serves as a supportffor the record disc or body 29. A detachment of one orboth'the plate and disc from the shaft may be permitted by employing a bearing member 39 beyond the record and which,'-by means of areadily detachable-nut 3! or its equivalent, normally maintains the -record against displacement with respect :to the plate and also secures the latter againstd'etachment from the shaft 2'1. Finally, with reference to this structure, it is to be observed that the plate 28 may carry apositioning pin 32 which extends through a corresponding aperture in the record 2-9 to assure that the parts assume a definite and predetermined relationship with respect to each other and that no relative movement of provided'aspart oftheplateZS, and to always with the rear faceofthe plate 28.

tance equivalent to one frame. obvious that the-notches might be spaced a lesser 4 assure a predetermined relationship of this plate with respect to the shaft.

Now with a view to providing means which will assure a rotation of the shaft 27, as Well as a shifting of the carriage 25 with respect to the rails 24, attention is primarily directed to Figs. 4 to 10. As is apparent in these views, the plate 28 has associated with its rear face a drive rack comprising a series of spirally extending notches 134 which intervene teeth forming a part of a spirally extending rib 35 affixed to or associated These notches provide shoulders for engagement by intermittent feeder and locking means and are spaced a dis- However, it is distance by retimin the mechanism and also, that these notches instead of being formed in a rib might be otherwise developed as part of the plate 28. Extending from the motor 22 is a drive shaft '36 which by means .of gearing 31 may transmit motion .to a shaft 38 supported'by a bracket portion '39 forming a part of the mounting 23. Theshaft may operate an intermittent feeding and locking mechanism for .the plate .28; the details of this mechanism are shown in Figs. 6 to 10.

In these views, the numerals 4'0, 41 and 42 indicate three cams aflixed to shaft '38. A'follower 43 has its inner end rockingly supported by a block on a shaft d4. This follower is provided with vertically extending rail portions 15 for cooperation with the cam and horizontally extending rail portions 46 (as viewedinithe present layout) which cooperate with the cam 4| to constitute a structure similar to a-swinging-block linkage as shown. A ifollower 4''! is also supported by a block on shaft 44 and extends adjacent the follower '43. Vertical rail portions 48 are associated with this follower and cooperate with cam 42 tofprovide a reciprocating structure with substantially all up and down or swinging movement "restricted 'bythe sides of an elon gated slot 41a formed in follower 41 through which projects shaft 38 as shown in Figs. 6 and 9.

It follows that withflthe shaft-.33 rotating, cams it and ll will cooperate with'the respective rail portions '45 and 43 of'the follower 43"to shift the lattervertically'and to also'project andretra'ct such follower along an axis substantiallyperpem dicular to such shifting movement. The follower ll willisimply be projected inwardly'and outwardly due to the "drive provided'bythe cam 42.

The forward end of follower terminates in a feeder tooth 39 which pursuant to the operation of cams M3 and 4|, enters a notch 34,'moves downwardly equal to the distance between successivenotches to effect an angular rotation of plate '28 andrecord discequalto the height'of one picture'frame, and disengages' inlposition for cooperation with the succeeding notch 34.

The follower 41 terminates in a detent 50,1il1ustratively a tooth,- which cooperates with aLpreceding notch *34. 'Instead ofa tooth 50,:the detent could obviously comprise a braking surfacewhich would'engage witha'surface of the'rib 35 or a surface of the plate 28. I

With the parts properly'timed, they willfunctionin the'manner 'shOWn" il1'Flgs, 7,8 and 9'. In the fiI'StTOf these, the .toothi'fifl of follower is extended into one of the'notches 34. This tooth being merelycapable of inward and outward movement (i. e. movements towards and away from the plate 28.); it;will accordingly simply functiomas a locking tooth. "In other-words; it

will prevent movement of the plate28 as well as the disc 29 coupled therewith. With the parts in this position, the tooth 49 begins to project incident to the cam 40. Just prior to such projection, tooth 59 will be retracted and the parts will accordingly assume the position shown in Fig. 8. Under continued movement of the shaft 'At that point and due to the cam 40, the tooth 49 will begin to retract from the notch. Simultaneously, tooth 50 will begin its projecting movement towards the plate 28. It follows that it will enter the adjacent notch 34, so as to lock the plate against further movement as the follower 49 shifts to a position at which tooth 49 is wholly retracted and begins its upward movement to again establish the relationship of the parts, as shown in Fig. '7.

As a consequence, plate 28 and disc 29 will be fed intermittently. The amount of such feeding will correspond precisely to the relationship to be imparted to the photographic frames to appear on plate 29. Now with the projector operating in synchronism with the plate feed and lock, it is obvious that the successive frames on the film II, will be projected by the light source onto the sensitized surface of the plate 29. In such projection, the resultant frames may be larger than the frames appearing on the film I1, they may be equally sized, or they may obviously be smaller. In any event, however, according to the spacing which is to be imparted to the frames and which will in turn depend upon the size of-the latter,

the feeding mechanism associated with the plate 28-"will intermittently rotate the latter, so that successive portions of the disc 29 will be caused todefine the field of projection developed by the light source l9 and film H.

The projection apparatus is so synchronized that rotation of the plate 28 and disc 29 occurs between the projection of successive photographic frames by the projector; the plate and disc are held against movement during the instant of projection.

Now with a view to having this series of frames upon the record or disc, define a spiral path, the carriage must be shifted along the rails 24. Of course, the projection source might be shifted sidewise, while the disc is simply rotated. However, in view of the mechanical difficulties in achieving such a result, it is preferred that the structure presently illustrated be resorted to and in which the projection axis remain fixed. Attention being directed to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be noted that a bracket portion 5| may be mounted on the bracket 39 adjacent the shaft 38 as shown. This bracket portion may conveniently carry contact shoes or riders 52, which bear against opposite faces of the rib 35. Thus, it is obvious that as shaft 38 rotates to intermittently rotate plate 28 and record 29, it will also cause a sidewise shifting of these units, together with shaft 2'lto correspondingly move carriage 25 with respect to the mounting 23. Consequently, the series of exposed frames will be arranged in the form of a spiral upon the record 29. This spiral series of frames will extend from any point desirably spaced from the edge of the disc to a point adjacent the center of the same. After this operation has been completed, the nut 3| or equivalent securin structure may be loosened. If desired, the plate 28 also may be dismounted from the shaft 21. It is preferred however, that instead of dismounting the plate 28, the parts be brought to the position shown in Fig. 8 or else by means of any suitable mechanism, these parts may be brought to positions at which they will completely clear one another. In such positions, it is apparent that plate 28, may together with the carriage 25, be shifted to a position at which it might again receive a record to be exposed. Thereafter, the operation of the parts as afore described might again be re-established.

One form of mechanism which may be employed has been shown in Fig. l in which it will be seen that the shaft 21 is provided with a knob 18 by means of which it may be manipulated. This shaft is also formed with grooves 15. Projectable into these grooves is the end 11 of a retaining member 16. Obviously, with the parts in the position shown, no longitudinal shifting of shaft 2'! may occur. However, by simply loosening member '69, the plate 28 may be shifted by correspondingly moving the shaft 21 in a manner such, that the driving mechanism will clear the rear face of the plate.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a negative is produced (assuming the film H to be a positive) and which negative comprises a disclike body free from distorting tendencies or characteristics, and upon the face of which, a series of succcessive photographic images are present.

These images are arranged in spiral form extendin conveniently from a point adjacent the periphery of the disc, to a point slightly spaced from the center thereof. Each of these frames or pictures is longitudinally spaced an equal distance from the other. Due to the spacing of the convolutions of the rib or any equivalent feeding structure, the adjacent convolutions of the frames are displaced sidewise to an extent such, that adequate space intervenes to accommodate the sound-track. In this connection, it is to be borne in mind that it is preferred to arrange this sound-track so that it will be interposed between adjacent convolutions of frames.

Now with a view to providing an apparatus by means of which the sound-track will be applied or caused to be arranged on the face of the disc, attention is primarily invited to Figs. 11, 12 and 13. In these views, the numeral 53 indicates the base of a printing mechanism which may be motor driven as indicated at 54. The motor by means of gearing 55 and sprockets 56or other equiv alent feeding mechanismserves to move a film 51 containing the sound track to be reproduced, past a projection field as defined by a lamp and lens assembly 58. Such movement will be at a constant linear speed and the projected image will define the sound-track appearing upon the film 57. The record 29 is supported upon a turntable or mounting disc 59 and the latter is mounted upon a shaft 60. A clamping and wingnut assembly 6| may retain the record against displacement with reference to the mounting disc 59 and the latter may also have a positioning pin 62 associated with it, so that the record disc may at all times be brought into predetermined relationship with respect to the mounting structure. Said predetermined relationship is such that the initial exposure of the record disc to the sound track projector is radially offset with respect to the photographic frames, whereupon a number of photographic frames may appear in advancejof ,thecommencement ofthe sound track, ,asapiiears on the completed record shownlin Fig. 16. Obviously the soundtrack could lead the picture track, if desired. A drive 63 may extend beyond the film-strip movingmechanism and serve :to rotate by means ofgearing fitashaft 65. Aflixed to thelatteriisa gear wheel at, the teeth of which will meshwith notches or gear .teethfil associated with or formed in the rear face of plate 59.

Asshown especially in Fig. 13, shaft .65 may have support in a bracket 68 and the latter may be extended, as;indicatedlat:83, to provide a pair of mountings disposed immediately beyond the gear 165. Thesemountings may support rollers 10 which are spaced a Jdistancesueh, that they extend ;to either side of the rib or other structure which provides hthe teeth er, It is obvious that if a different structure is employed, these rollers or their equivalents might suitably cooperate with such structure, to assure a sidewise movement of the disc as thelatter is rotated.

In connection with such :movement, it will be .noted that, shaft 59 is supported by a carriage H having rollers 12 which cooperate with rails '53 in a manner similar to the structure heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive. Thisis again conceding that in the present unit of apparatus, it is preferred to have the light axis stationary and the record axis susceptible to sidewise displacement.

In any event it will be understood, that with ,an apparatussuch as is-shown in Figs. 11 to 13, .the sound track appearing upon the'film 57 or equivalent record will be photographically pro- ,J'ected ontothe face of the record 29. It will also :be obvious-that such sound-track will be inter- ,posed ,betweenthe convolutions of the spirally arranged series of frames. Accordingly, in a pro- "jection apparatus employing a record corresponding to the record 29, it will be feasible to dispose ;,the sound pick-up to one side of the projection axis of the optical system for the frames.

Also, as indicated in Figs. 11 and 12, a structure similar to that afore described in connectionwith Figs. 1 to 10 may be employed. In other words, the shaft 6.8 may be longitudinally shiftable by releasing a retaining member '55 and manipulating the knob '18. As a consequence of such shifting, the drive mechanism will be unooupled'and any desired position of the parts may be readily established.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a negative record is produced by a method which includes an intermittent movement of the record to provide a sucoessiveseries of spirally arranged frames upon the face of the same. Each of these frames will correspond precisely to the frame which is being projected from a film or other source in that the latter together with the record, will be in stationary condition during the instant of exposure. Also, a sound track is produced as part of the record and this track is also arranged in spiral form and preferably has its convolutions intervening the convolutions of the frames. Again it is obvious that the-sound track will be faithfully reproduced due to the fact that the movements of the record and the film, or equivalent member presenting the sound track, are completely synchronized and the exposing light .source or ray is directed merely at one precise :point .pf #the disc. vAfter the .foregoing operation .hasibeen completed, it is ;.of course obvious, that *a'imaster, record :is provided in the form;,of :agnegative. :By disposing this record adjacent similar records and exposing the same to :light, any ;number of ipositives may be produced by contactphotographic printing. Eachone ofthese positives may be subjected. to rough handling withoutiniury and may also be stored forlong periods, of time without any damage.

.The record has :been clearly shown in Figs. :14 to ;17 inclusive. This record'is generally indicated "at "29 as-inthe preceding views. It includes arelativelyrigid body 19 formed of any suitable ,and transparent material. A layer of light z-sensitivematerial-iifi is applied to the :face of body 19. Upon the completion of the steps of .the method resulting in the photographic frame appearing upon the record, a body such as is shown in Fig. 14 results and in which the frames have ibeen indicatedat 82. Upon the completion of the steps involving the application of the sound-track, a record such asillustrated in Fig. '15 is presented. As will be seen, this record as well as the record as shown in Fig. 14 have their indiciaappearingin the form of spiral convolutions; the sound-track having been indicated at :8! in "the latter figure.

Where-both the sound-track and the frames .appearon the same disc-as is preferably the casefia complete recordresults as in Figs. :16 and 1'7. In these views, itwill be observedthat-ithfl convolutions of the sound-track and frame have been shown as intervening eachother and with the "initial convolutions having their entrance portions slightly displaced with respect to each other. i

:From theforegoing it willibeappreciated that among. others, the objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in the steps :of the method, the structure of the apparatus and the resultant product might be resorted t owith'out departing ,"from the spirit of theinvention as defined by lathe plaim; 1"

I claim:

iALprinting apparatus :including in combination guiding means, a carriage :mounted for movement along said means, a transversely extending shaft rotatably supported by-said carriage a-rigid gplate secured to saidshaft in advance of said carriage, a record, means for mounting said record .111; Contact; with: the outer face of said plate and against ;movement with respect to the same,:a :lightsou-rce, meansto receive and shift in operi-ativea'ssociation with-said source an image-car- :rying member and whereby a light image may beproiected towardssaidrecord and plate, driving means extending-spirally from the rear face ofsaid; plate and formed-with a series of notches, .means connected tosaid driving means and ex- ..tendable :into the notches defined by said rib to rotate said v pla te,'-and further guide means :movable with-respect to said carriage and engaging; said rib-whereby assaid plate rotates said carriage shaft, plateand record will be shifted r laterally.

J.- BURGI CONTNER. 

